engine oil CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2016 User Guide

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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132 Driving and Operating
be used for service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may be
required for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position when the
engine is running. The transmission is also
unlocked in this position.
If the key is left in ON/RUN with the engine
off, the battery could drain and the vehicle
may not start.
3 (START) :This is the position that starts
the engine. When the engine starts, release
the key. The ignition returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
To place the transmission in the
proper gear:
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start in any
other position. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or accessories,
you could change the way the engine
operates. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment 0171.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel, and is held
in that position while starting the vehicle,
damage may occur to the hydraulic
power steering system and there may be
loss of power steering assist.
Starting Procedure 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START. When
the engine starts, let go of the key. The
idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently to
allow the oil to warm up and lubricate
all moving parts.
When the low fuel warning light is on
and the FUEL LEVEL LOW message is
displayed in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the Computer-Controlled
Cranking System is disabled to prevent
possible vehicle component damage.
When this happens, hold the ignition
switch in the START position to continue
engine cranking.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the ignition to the
START position immediately after
cranking has ended, can overheat and
damage the cranking motor, and drain
the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the cranking
motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in very cold
weather (below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much gasoline. Try

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Driving and Operating 133
pushing the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor and holding it there as you
hold the key in START for up to
15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but then
stops again, do the same thing. This
clears the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Fast Idle System
If equipped, this feature is available only
with cruise control. The manual fast idle
switch is operated using the cruise control
buttons on the left side of the steering
wheel.
This system can be used to increase engine
idle speed whenever the following
conditions are met:
.The parking brake is set.
.The brake pedal is not pressed.
.The vehicle must not be moving and the
accelerator must not be pressed.To control the fast idle:
.To enable the Fast Idle System, press and
release the cruise control on/off button
and ensure that the switch indicator light
is lit.
.Press and release the cruise control SET-
button. Engine speed will be held at
approximately 1200 rpm.
When the fast idle is active, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display FAST
IDLE ON.
One of the following actions will turn off
the fast idle:
.Pressing the brake.
.Selecting the cruise control cancel button.
.Releasing the parking brake.
.Moving the transmission shift lever out of
P (Park) or N (Neutral).
.Selecting the cruise control on/off button
when it was previously on.
.Pressing the cruise control SET- button a
second time.
.Pressing the accelerator more than
one-quarter of the way down.
.Turning the ignition off.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on to off,
the following features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to 10 minutes,
or until the driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the ignition is
in RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any door
is opened)
.Sunroof (during RAP this functionality will
be lost when any door is opened)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
.Audio System
.OnStar System
Engine Coolant Heater
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block heater
while the vehicle is parked in a garage or
under a carport. Property damage or (Continued)

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154 Driving and Operating
Fuels in Foreign Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post fuel
octane ratings in anti-knock index (AKI). For
fuel not to use in a foreign country, see
Prohibited Fuels0153.
Fuel Additives
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is highly
recommended for use with your vehicle.
If your country does not have TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, add ACDelco Fuel
System Treatment Plus−Gasoline to the
vehicle’s gasoline fuel tank at every oil
change or 15 000 km (9,000 mi), whichever
occurs first. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline and
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment Plus
−Gasoline will help keep your vehicle’s
engine fuel deposit free and performing
optimally.
Filling the Tank
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates which
side of the vehicle the fuel door is on. See
Fuel Gauge 072.
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn violently
and can cause injury or death.
Follow these guidelines to help avoid
injuries to you and others:
.Read and follow all the instructions on
the fuel pump island.
.Turn off the engine when refueling.
.Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from fuel.
.Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
.Avoid using electronic devices while
refueling.
.Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel.
.Keep children away from the fuel
pump and never let children
pump fuel.
.Before touching the fill nozzle, touch a
metallic object to discharge static
electricity from your body.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Fuel can spray out if the fuel cap is
opened too quickly. This spray can
happen if the tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather. Open the
fuel cap slowly and wait for any hiss
noise to stop, then unscrew the cap all
the way.
Turn the fuel cap counterclockwise to
remove. When refueling, hang the fuel cap
from the hook on the fuel door. Fully insert
and latch the fill nozzle, begin fueling.

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156 Driving and Operating
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips
{Warning
You can lose control when towing a
trailer if the correct equipment is not
used or the vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too heavy or
the trailer brakes are inadequate for the
load, the vehicle may not stop as
expected. You and others could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged, and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a
trailer only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your dealer for
advice and information about towing a
trailer with the vehicle.
Driving with a Trailer
Trailering is different than just driving the
vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking, durability,
and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering
takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips and
safety rules. Many of these are important
for your safety and that of your passengers.
Read this section carefully before pulling a
trailer.
When towing a trailer:
.Become familiar with and follow all state
and local laws that apply to trailer
towing. These requirements vary from
state to state.
.State laws may require the use of
extended side view mirrors. Even if not
required, you should install extended side
view mirrors if your visibility is limited or
restricted while towing.
.Do not tow a trailer during the first
800 km (500 mi) of vehicle use to prevent
damage to the engine, axle, or other
parts.
.It is recommended to perform the first oil
change before heavy towing.
.During the first 800 km (500 mi) of trailer
towing, do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make starts at full
throttle.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Tow/Haul
Mode is recommended for heavier trailers.
See
Tow/Haul Mode 0140. If the transmission downshifts too often, a
lower gear may be selected using Manual
Mode. See
Manual Mode 0139.
If equipped, the following driver assistance
features should be turned off when towing
a trailer:
.Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.Super Cruise Control
.Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
.Park Assist
.Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
.Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following driver assistance
features should be turned to alert or off
when towing a trailer:
.Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
.Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
.Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
If equipped with Lane Change Alert (LCA),
the LCA detection zones that extend back
from the side of the vehicle do not move
further back when a trailer is towed. Use
caution while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA), use caution while backing up when
towing a trailer, as the RCTA detection zones

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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158 Driving and Operating
Make wider turns than normal when towing,
so trailer will not go over soft shoulders,
over curbs, or strike road signs, trees,
or other objects. Always signal turns well in
advance. Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before starting down a long or steep
downhill grade. If the transmission is not
shifted down, the brakes may overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
The vehicle can tow in D (Drive). Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes, engine
coolant will boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle
could show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine
run, preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, seeEngine
Overheating 0187.
Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and trailer on a
level surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and your trailer
on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
.Shift into a gear.
.Release the parking brake. 2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks
Launching and Retrieving a Boat
Backing the Trailer into the Water
{Warning
.Have all passengers get out of the
vehicle before backing onto the sloped
part of the ramp. Lower the driver and
passenger side windows before
backing onto the ramp. This will
provide a means of escape in the
unlikely event the vehicle slides into
the water.
.If the boat launch surface is slippery,
have the driver remain in the vehicle
with the brake pedal applied while the
boat is being launched. The boat
launch can be especially slippery at
low tide when part of the ramp was
previously submerged at high tide. Do
not back onto the ramp to launch the
boat if you are not sure the vehicle
can maintain traction.
(Continued)

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Driving and Operating 159
Warning (Continued)
.Do not move the vehicle if someone is
in the path of the trailer. Some parts
of the trailer might be underwater and
not visible to people who are assisting
in launching the boat.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before
backing the trailer into the water to prevent
damage to the electrical circuits on the
trailer. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after removing the trailer from the water.
If the trailer has electric brakes that can
function when the trailer is submerged, it
might help to leave the electrical trailer
connector attached to maintain trailer brake
functionality while on the boat ramp.
To back the trailer into the water: 1. Slowly back down the boat ramp until the boat is floating, but no further than
necessary.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet.
3. Have someone place chocks under the front wheels of the vehicle.
4. Gradually release the brake pedal to allow the chocks to absorb the load of
the trailer. 5. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the
parking brake and shift into P (Park).
6. Release the brake pedal.
Pulling the Trailer from the Water
To pull the trailer from the water: 1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine and shift into a gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin and the
vehicle begins to slide toward the water,
remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0245. It is especially important to
check the automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before and during
each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and bolts on
the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling when Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating 0187.
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can damage
the vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by the vehicle warranty. To
tow a trailer correctly, follow the
directions in this section and see your
dealer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.

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172 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . 173
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 173
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 176
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 181
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . 193 Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 199
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . 208
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . 211
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 212
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 216
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . 218
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 218
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 219
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 230
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

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Vehicle Care 177
1.Battery - North America 0191.
2. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0183.
3. Coolant Recovery Tank. See Cooling
System 0183.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0183.
5. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0182.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil 0179.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil 0179.
8. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid 0188.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0199.
10. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0190.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” underWasher
Fluid 0189.

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178 Vehicle Care
6.6L V8 Engine
1. Battery - North America 0191.
2. Radiator Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0183.
3. Coolant Recovery Tank. See Cooling
System 0183. 4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil 0179.
5. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System 0183.
6. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0182. 7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
“When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil 0179.
8. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid 0188.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse Block 0199.

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Vehicle Care 179
10. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeBrake Fluid 0190.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” underWasher
Fluid 0189.
Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see “Engine Oil”
in the Duramax diesel supplement.
To ensure proper engine performance and
long life, careful attention must be paid to
engine oil. Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect your
investment:
.Use engine oil approved to the proper
specification and of the proper viscosity
grade. See “Selecting the Right Engine
Oil” in this section.
.Check the engine oil level regularly and
maintain the proper oil level. See
“Checking Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the appropriate
time. SeeEngine Oil Life System 0181.
.Always dispose of engine oil properly. See
“What to Do with Used Oil” in this
section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly, every
650 km (400 mi), especially prior to a long
trip. The engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0176 for
the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle may be
hot; it could burn you. Use a towel or
glove to touch the dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center (DIC)
message displays, check the oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park the
vehicle on level ground. Check the engine
oil level after the engine has been off for
at least two hours. Checking the engine
oil level on steep grades or too soon after
engine shutoff can result in incorrect
readings. Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to starting.
Remove the dipstick and check the level.
.If unable to wait two hours, the engine
must be off for at least 15 minutes if the
engine is warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it with a clean paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
4.3L V6 Engine
6.6L V8 Engine
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at
the tip of the dipstick and the engine has
been off for at least 15 minutes, add 1 L
(1 qt) of the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for an